IB PSYCHOLOGY – CLOA – APRIL 2022
COGNITIVE LEVEL OF ANALYSIS (CLOA)
We want to understand our mind and behavior, and the relationship between the two.
Multi-store memory model
1 Models of memory
Working memory model
2 Reliability of memory Theory of reconstructive memory
Concepts of schema
Types of schemas
3 Schema theory How schemas influence encoding (of memory)
How schemas influence retrieval (of memory)
Bottom-up and top-down processing
Thinking vs. decision-making
Thinking & The theory of reasoned action/ theory of planned behavior
4
Decision-Making The adaptive decision-maker framework
System 1 + System 2 thinking
Reliability of thinking Cognitive biases
5
and decision-making Heuristics
Theories of emotion
6 Emotion & Cognition Influence of emotion on cognition
Theory of flashbulb memory
Digital tech usage and improving cognitive processing skills
Cognitive processing Effect of media multi-tasking on cognitive processing
7
in a digital world Digital tech & empathy in human interaction
Digital tech & attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
, IB PSYCHOLOGY – CLOA – APRIL 2022
1. MEMORY
Models of MEMORY
Multi-store Memory is the cognitive process used to encode, store, and retrieve
memory model information
(Atkinson & Memory is said to Sensory memory
Shiffrin, 1968) consist of 3 separate
components Short-term (ST) memory store
Long-term (LT) memory store
Each component is characterized by specific
duration (for how long store is able to hold info)
capacity (how many units of info the store can hold)
For info to move from one memory store to the next, certain CONDITIONS
have to be met
Sensory memory Doesn’t process information
(sensory register) Function is to detect information and hold this until
it’s either transferred into ST or lot
Has several sub-components (visual info, auditory,
olfactory, etc)
CAPACITY – limited by our perception (senses)
DURATION – short (memory traces decay after 1-5
secs of inattention)
CONDITION for info to transfer from sensory to ST
– ATTENTION
Short-term memory Info from sensory comes to STM, during this
(STM) process the info can undergo some changes
CAPACITY – 7 plus or minus 2 CHUNKS of info
Chunks of info: meaningful groups of info
DURATION – about 30 secs – if unattended, can
fade
CONDITION for increasing duration of STM +
transferring info to LTM – REHEARSAL
Long-term memory Place for storing large amounts of info for indefinite
, IB PSYCHOLOGY – CLOA – APRIL 2022
(LTM) periods of time
CAPACITY – estimated to be potentially UNLIMITED
However, just b/c capacity is unlimited, doesn’t
mean all info is easily retrievable
DURATION – potentially UNLIMITED
CONDITION for info to enter LTM – REHEARSAL
Support for multi-store Sperling (1960)
memory model Glanzer & Cunitz (1966) – serial position effect
Criticism of multi-store Focuses on structure (3 components) rather than
memory model PROCESS (how info flows)
B/c no more info on PROCESS of memory, the only
condition seems to be rote rehearsal but this is an
oversimplification
Explains flow of info in one direction (sensory →
STM → LTM) but there must be bidirectional flow
LTM may have different types of info stored
(episodic, procedural, semantic memories)
STM is too simplified b/c there are more
subcomponents (→ see “working memory model”)
Working Focuses on the structure of STM
memory model b/c they realized the multi-store memory model simplified the STM’s structure,
(Baddeley & which through dual-task techniques research they could see various types of
Hitch) info were simultaneously made into memories (not just one info/memory at a
time)
The central executive coordinates the subsystems. It allocates resources
between visuospatial sketchpad + phonological loop (the “manager”)
The phonological loop holds sound info
- Phonological store (inner ear) – holds sound passively
- Articulatory rehearsal component (inner voice) – turns visual stimuli
into sounds (shown words → inner voice ‘reads’ words)
The episodic buffer integrates info from other components and links to LTM
Support for WMM Dual-task technique research supports the presence
of subcomponents and separate tasks
COGNITIVE LEVEL OF ANALYSIS (CLOA)
We want to understand our mind and behavior, and the relationship between the two.
Multi-store memory model
1 Models of memory
Working memory model
2 Reliability of memory Theory of reconstructive memory
Concepts of schema
Types of schemas
3 Schema theory How schemas influence encoding (of memory)
How schemas influence retrieval (of memory)
Bottom-up and top-down processing
Thinking vs. decision-making
Thinking & The theory of reasoned action/ theory of planned behavior
4
Decision-Making The adaptive decision-maker framework
System 1 + System 2 thinking
Reliability of thinking Cognitive biases
5
and decision-making Heuristics
Theories of emotion
6 Emotion & Cognition Influence of emotion on cognition
Theory of flashbulb memory
Digital tech usage and improving cognitive processing skills
Cognitive processing Effect of media multi-tasking on cognitive processing
7
in a digital world Digital tech & empathy in human interaction
Digital tech & attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
, IB PSYCHOLOGY – CLOA – APRIL 2022
1. MEMORY
Models of MEMORY
Multi-store Memory is the cognitive process used to encode, store, and retrieve
memory model information
(Atkinson & Memory is said to Sensory memory
Shiffrin, 1968) consist of 3 separate
components Short-term (ST) memory store
Long-term (LT) memory store
Each component is characterized by specific
duration (for how long store is able to hold info)
capacity (how many units of info the store can hold)
For info to move from one memory store to the next, certain CONDITIONS
have to be met
Sensory memory Doesn’t process information
(sensory register) Function is to detect information and hold this until
it’s either transferred into ST or lot
Has several sub-components (visual info, auditory,
olfactory, etc)
CAPACITY – limited by our perception (senses)
DURATION – short (memory traces decay after 1-5
secs of inattention)
CONDITION for info to transfer from sensory to ST
– ATTENTION
Short-term memory Info from sensory comes to STM, during this
(STM) process the info can undergo some changes
CAPACITY – 7 plus or minus 2 CHUNKS of info
Chunks of info: meaningful groups of info
DURATION – about 30 secs – if unattended, can
fade
CONDITION for increasing duration of STM +
transferring info to LTM – REHEARSAL
Long-term memory Place for storing large amounts of info for indefinite
, IB PSYCHOLOGY – CLOA – APRIL 2022
(LTM) periods of time
CAPACITY – estimated to be potentially UNLIMITED
However, just b/c capacity is unlimited, doesn’t
mean all info is easily retrievable
DURATION – potentially UNLIMITED
CONDITION for info to enter LTM – REHEARSAL
Support for multi-store Sperling (1960)
memory model Glanzer & Cunitz (1966) – serial position effect
Criticism of multi-store Focuses on structure (3 components) rather than
memory model PROCESS (how info flows)
B/c no more info on PROCESS of memory, the only
condition seems to be rote rehearsal but this is an
oversimplification
Explains flow of info in one direction (sensory →
STM → LTM) but there must be bidirectional flow
LTM may have different types of info stored
(episodic, procedural, semantic memories)
STM is too simplified b/c there are more
subcomponents (→ see “working memory model”)
Working Focuses on the structure of STM
memory model b/c they realized the multi-store memory model simplified the STM’s structure,
(Baddeley & which through dual-task techniques research they could see various types of
Hitch) info were simultaneously made into memories (not just one info/memory at a
time)
The central executive coordinates the subsystems. It allocates resources
between visuospatial sketchpad + phonological loop (the “manager”)
The phonological loop holds sound info
- Phonological store (inner ear) – holds sound passively
- Articulatory rehearsal component (inner voice) – turns visual stimuli
into sounds (shown words → inner voice ‘reads’ words)
The episodic buffer integrates info from other components and links to LTM
Support for WMM Dual-task technique research supports the presence
of subcomponents and separate tasks
